Near Gladewater, Tex. one night last week, a 300-ft. mushroom of smoke and flame hung in the sky, casting dull yellow highlights on the charred boles of nearby pine trees, lighting the sweaty faces of many men. Sinclair Oil Co.'s No. 1 Cole well had gushed in, caught fire, killed nine workmen, belched flame for eight days (TIME, May 11). Suddenly came an ear-splitting explosion heard 15 mi. away in Longview. The fiery mushroom lost its stem, swirled up into the night, vanished.
Heroes of this and many another well fire were the famed...
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